Product Overview

The Standard for Modern Tracking: Quad Unison Preamps Meet Six-Core DSP Processing

Designed to serve as the structural anchor of professional studio racks, the Apollo x8 Gen 2 Essentials+ Edition delivers the ideal balance between physical analog input tracking and high-headroom line connectivity. With four onboard analog combo preamps, eight channels of DB25 line I/O, and integrated digital expansion options, the x8 Gen 2 effortlessly accommodates live band tracking, multi-microphone drum setups, complex synthesizer rigs, and multi-layered outboard analog signal chains.

The core engineering breakthrough of the Gen 2 series centers around its entirely overhauled monitoring signal path. Combining top-tier digital-to-analog converters with ultra-stable Dual-Crystal Clocking, it yields a massive 130 dB dynamic range for transparent, analytical playback. Operating over high-speed Thunderbolt 3 connectivity with premium low-latency drivers across macOS and Windows, its built-in HEXA Core hardware processing matrix takes complete charge of running your UAD plugins internally, ensuring your computer's native DAW timeline remains responsive and fluid during heavy production sessions.

Product Description

Elite Gen 2 Audio Fidelity & Room Calibration:

The foundation of the Apollo X Rackmount Gen 2 series is its masterfully updated digital conversion layout. With a monitor path delivering 130 dB of dynamic range and an astonishingly low -127 dB THD+N, the x8 Gen 2 ensures that your multi-track arrangements, transient details, and stereo fields translate with absolute accuracy.

To counteract imperfect room acoustics, the interface runs Apollo Monitor Correction powered by Sonarworks®. This allows engineers to import custom SoundID Reference room correction filters directly into the interface’s internal DSP hardware chip. The system applies up to 24 precision EQ filters with speaker time-alignment under zero added system latency, letting you monitor through a perfectly flattened frequency curve without sacrificing host computer performance.

Four Unison Preamps with Assistive Auto-Gain:

For multi-channel tracking, the interface features four Unison-enabled microphone/line combo preamps alongside dual front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs. Unison technology creates a physical, bi-directional hardware circuit sync that matches the precise input impedance, gain-stage sweet spots, and component interactions of iconic vintage gear from Neve, API, SSL, and Manley. To accelerate tracking setups, the Gen 2 introduces Assistive Auto-Gain. By clicking a single software button in the UAD Console app, the Apollo analyzes your incoming signal and sets the perfect input level gain structures automatically, safeguarding your tracking session from sudden digital clipping.

Surround Sound Monitoring & Bass Management:

The Apollo x8 Gen 2 is a fully capable multi-channel hub, offering native mixing and monitoring support for surround formats up to 7.1. Inside the upgraded UAD Console App, users gain access to comprehensive hardware-driven Bass Management. This lets you integrate studio subwoofers and configure custom low-frequency crossover boundaries directly within the DSP matrix, rendering deep low-end control. The sleek, pale-grey front panel also includes physical keys for Alt speaker switching, Mono summing, Dim, Alt monitor options, and an integrated Talkback Microphone for instant studio communication.

Essentials+ Premium Software Package:

The Essentials+ Edition includes a handpicked array of over 36+ premium UAD plug-ins and virtual instruments. This suite provides iconic tools to mix and produce right away, featuring the Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Pultec Passive EQ Collection, Oxide Tape Recorder, Verve Analog Machines Essentials, PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth, and Auto-Tune Realtime Access for low-latency pitch correction.

Key Features

• 6-CORE HEXA CORE DSP PROCESSING: Six dedicated internal SHARC chips offload heavy analog modeling tasks from your host computer’s CPU.

• GEN 2 ELITE-CLASS AUDIO CONVERSION: Overhauled D/A monitoring paths deliver an ultra-wide 130 dB of dynamic range with a -127 dB THD+N floor.

• FOUR UNISON MIC PREAMPS: Record in real time through authentic, variable-impedance circuit profiles of Neve, Manley, API, and SSL hardware units.

• ASSISTIVE AUTO-GAIN: Instantly listens to and establishes optimal input level gain mapping across recording channels in seconds.

• APOLLO MONITOR CORRECTION: Runs Sonarworks® SoundID Reference speaker and headphone profiles directly on internal DSP with near-zero latency.

• ESSENTIALS+ PLUG-IN SUITE: Includes over 36+ premium UAD titles, featuring world-famous Teletronix compressors, Pultec EQs, and Auto-Tune.

• 7.1 SURROUND & BASS MANAGEMENT: Hardware-driven speaker calibration and subwoofer crossover tools directly inside the UAD Console app.

• FLEXIBLE DB25 ANALOG I/O: Professional connectivity for easy integration with analog mixing consoles, summing boxes, and external patch bays.

• THUNDERBOLT 3 CONNECTIVITY: Two Thunderbolt 3 ports provide rock-solid driver stability and simple daisy-chaining for up to 4 Apollo interfaces.

Technical Specifications

What’s Included in the Box

• 1 x Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 1U Rackmount Audio Interface

• 1 x External 12V DC Power Supply Adapter with Region-Specific AC Power Cable

• 1 x Set of Four (4) Professional Rack-Mount Screws

• 1 x UAD Essentials+ Edition Plug-In Bundle Activation Card

• 1 x Official Universal Audio Factory Registration and Warranty Documentation

• (Note: Connecting Thunderbolt 3 / Thunderbolt 4 cables are sold separately)